Celebrating lives at Golden Years Haven
At Golden Years Haven, we believe in honoring the lives of our beloved senior dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge to a place free of pain. This page is dedicated to celebrating their memories and the joy they brought into our lives. Here, you'll find feel-good stories, and cherished moments that remind us of the paw prints they left on our hearts.
"Their lives were short, but their love was immeasurable. Each dog touched our hearts in their own unique ways.
The Golden Years Haven Family
BUDDY- Our "ROCK STAR"
A Tribute to My Soul Dog, Buddy
It has taken me some time to find the strength to write this. On September16th, we said goodbye to our sweet black lab, Buddy, and my heart has been shattered ever since.
Buddy wasn’t just a dog. He was my soul dog—the one who changed me, who taught me patience, and who made me a better person. For over 10 years, he was my constant companion, my protector, my sounding board, and my very best friend.
When I first rescued Buddy, he came to me with a prolapsed rectum, which meant he always sat a little funny. That was one of the first things that made him uniquely him. Buddy was never the kind of dog who gave his love away freely. He made you earn it. And while some dogs are eager to greet every stranger with a wagging tail, Buddy wasn’t like that—he was cautious, discerning. But once he decided you were his person, you had his whole heart forever. I am so lucky that I was his person.
Every single day, when I came home, Buddy would be there waiting for me. He had to jump up and give me a kiss—it was his little ritual, our ritual. And oh, that kiss meant the world to me. If for some reason he couldn’t jump, he would side-eye me and sass me with his quirky little bark-growl until I knelt down and let him kiss me anyway. That was Buddy in a nutshell: stubborn, sassy, and full of love, all wrapped up in one beautiful soul.
Now, the silence when I walk through the door feels deafening. I will always miss that first kiss, his expressive eyes, and the way his quirky, sassy voice seemed to say exactly what he was thinking.
Buddy taught me patience. He taught me that love isn’t always instant—it’s built through trust, consistency, and showing up for each other every single day. And in return, he gave me a love so deep and true that it’s hard to put into words.
My heart is broken, but it is also full of gratitude. Gratitude for every year, every moment, every kiss, and every lesson Buddy gave me. I will always carry him with me.
Run free, my sweet boy. I will love you forever and miss you always.
GUNNER- our "Little Pony"
I don’t even know where to begin, because how do you sum up a love like this? Today I’m saying goodbye to my sweet Golden Retriever, my boy who made it to 15 years old.
I rescued him when he was 6, down in Louisiana, from a hunter who didn’t see his worth. Back then, he was so scared of his own shadow, scared of the world. He was scared to walk on the floors; I had to put rugs down everywhere. He was petrified by the air freshener that sends out a puff. He would run for cover under my end table. He was a nervous wreck, and I
remember looking at him and thinking, “You don’t ever have to be afraid again. You’re safe now.” I got him the same time I rescued Buddy. They provided each other comfort. Often, I would go looking for one or the other and find them both in a large dog crate in the game room. I truly believe that Gunner found his place with Buddy. Gunner was the best big brother
Buddy could have ever had. It took time. It took patience. But little by little, he started to believe it. I’ll never forget the first time he picked up a toy and played. After years of fear, that moment felt like a miracle. It was
like he finally let himself just be a dog, and I can’t tell you how much joy that brought me.
For 9 years, he was my best friend. He gave me love in the purest way, without conditions. He followed me, trusted me, and reminded me every day what resilience looks like. He may have
started out broken, but he ended up whole—and that’s because of the love we shared. He wasn’t just a dog. He was family. He was my boy. And though my heart is heavy today, it’s also grateful. Grateful I got to be the one to love him. Grateful I got to see him transform. Grateful for every wag, every cuddle, every happy cry when I came home, and every silly little
look he’d give me. I’ll miss him more than I can say, but I know he left this world knowing he was loved and safe. And that’s all I ever wanted for him.
Rest easy, sweet boy. Thank you for letting loving me.
BRADY
Brady was not only the inspiration behind the creation of Golden Years Haven, but he was a be-loved member of our family. Although I can't tell you anything about the first half of his life, I can tell you everything about the five years he spent with us. When we rescued Brady, he immediately gained a huge family, with 4 brothers and sisters already at home. It did not take him long to fit right into our band of misfits. He greeted us at the door with the rest of the pack every single day. He loved squeaker toys, especially in the morning while I was trying to sleep. You should have seen this little guy run to get a "yum-yum", our word for treat. He loved us unconditionally and we returned that same love. Brady, you changed me for the better. You saved ME!! I will never forget you. Your paw prints are forever in my heart.
Honor their memory
In memory of these wonderful companions, please consider supporting Golden Years Haven. Your donations, whether monetary or in the form of supplies like food and medicine, help us continue providing a loving home for senior dogs in need. You can also donate your time by volunteering.
"Remembering Buddy, who loved belly rubs and nap time more than anything. He showed us the true meaning of unconditional love."
The Golden Years Haven Team
"We'll never forget Brady's gentle spirit and the way he'd greet everyone with a wagging tail, no matter what."
A Golden Years Haven Volunteer
"Thank you, Gunner, for all the goofy smiles and happy memories. You were the best boy."
A Golden Years Haven Supporter